Battle of Hastings Flashcards
(16 cards)
Harold G - What were the advantages to him becoming King? (7 reasons)
1- He is English- the people might support him. He knows the country well.
2-One of Most Powerful Men in England
3-Harold’s Sister was married to King Edward
4- Brave respected and tough soldier
5- Only Englishman contesting throne.
6- The Witan (advisors) wanted Harold to be King.
7- Edward said on death bed he would like Harold to be King.
Harold G- What were the disadvantages to him becoming King?
1-His father argued a lot with King Edward
2- Harold and father banished at one point from England.
William- Advantages to him becoming King? (7 reasons)
1- Strong army- Duke of one of most powerful parts of France.
2- Came from a fighting family.
3- Was sent to help Edward when became King.
4- Said Edward promised him the throne.
5- Tough- skinned people alive.
6- William of Poitier’s said he was like a brother or son to the King.
7- Harold Godwinson MAY have visited him and promised him the throne.
William- What were the disadvantages to him becoming King?
1- French, not English.
2- Doesn’t have a clear claim to the throne.
Harold H- advantages to becoming King? (3 reasons)
1- King of Norway & Denmark
2- Supported by Harold G’s brother Tostig as they had fallen out and wanted revenge.
3- Feared ruler- nicknamed The Ruthless
Harold H- disadvantages to becoming King?
1- No links to Edward
2- No claim to throne
3- Not English
What happened in the days after Edward the Confessor died? (What did all 3 contenders do)
When King Edward died Harold G had one big advantage over his two rivals as they were both miles away across sea.
Harold G was crowned King the next day. William and HH heard news and would come looking for him.
300 Viking Longboats carry HH’s army to England. King Harold gather’s his army and marches 300km in 4 days, taking Viking’s by surprise with their speed- had taken armour off and relaxing. They fought Battle of Stamford Bridge.
What were the two types of Saxon Soldiers? Describe each.
1) Housecarls – the fought at the centre of the battle and were well trained and equipped. These were full time professional soldiers who were well trained & paid.
2) Fyrd- These were part time unpaid soldiers – called up when country in danger.
What type of soldiers did the Norman Army have?
These are highly trained, full time professional soldiers.
Describe the 8 steps in the Battle of Hastings?
The Battle
1- William ordered his archers to fire at Harold’s soldiers, but the English had formed a solid shield wall.
2- Both sides threw javelins, sling stones and arrows- that phase was quickly over. The two sides moved closer and started using spears and then went to axes and swords.
3- William sent in his foot soldiers up the hill but they were unable to break shield wall.
4- William sent in Knights but useless against shield wall.
5- William had idea- ordered soldiers to run down hill like retreating. The English ran after them. (We don’t know if this was a tactic or they were running away)
6- Used this tactic twice, encircling and killing them and as the shield wall broke apart.
7- William’s archers rained down on soldiers and Harrold was killed – shot in the eye by an arrow.
8- One Harold and his brothers were dead the rest of the Saxon army runaway.
Reasons William won the Battle of Hastings? (10 reasons)
1- William’s army blessed by Pope (not likely a reason)
2- Harold’s army was tired after defeating the Danes in Yorkshire & then marching to Hastings. (180 miles in 5 days)
3- Some of Harold’s best fighters were killed in previous battle.
4- Normans fought with cavalry and Saxons didn’t (just to travel)
5- William had a large army of 10,000 soldiers
6- Streams and boggy areas on both sides of Senlac Hill
7- Brilliant and skilful leader
8- Normans were better equipped and prepared
9- Harold was unlucky
10- William was lucky- came to England at exactly the right time due to being unable to sail across the channel as a result of bad weather. Whilst this was frustrating for William at the time, it was actually very lucky as it meant that he could avoid fighting both Harold’s at Battle of Stamford Bridge.
Conclusion- WAS A COMBINATION OF ALL THE ABOVE.
Reasons Harold should have won? (3 reasons)
1- The Housecarls protected his army with Shield Wall
2- Harold had positioned his soldiers on top of steep hill.
3- He was King and in charge of England’s army, should have been able to gather more soldiers than William
What was the Feudal System?
1- Introduced by William as a new way to organise the country.
2- Biggest change the Normans made to England.
3- Feudal System meant King William I owned all the land in England.
4- Kept ¼ of land for his own use. Gave rest to main supporters, barons and bishops
5- Around 200 barons controlled three- quarters of England’s land.
6- Villeins (peasants & farm labourers were given small amounts of land by barons, and had to work for them in return several days a year.
7- Feudal System meant that power in England was centred on the King and his barons and bishops
8- Most Saxons lost their land.
What problems did William face after the battle? -
1) 1.5 million Saxon English and only 10,000 Normans
2) Saxons did not want to be ruled by the French
3) Rebellions across England such as in North in 1069.
Most serious rebellion was in Eastern England (Fens) A Saxon Lord, Hereward the Wake fought the Normans for over a decade (10yrs) after 1066.
4) He didn’t speak English
What was the Domesday Book?
1086- William surveyed all land of England and recorded it in book. Recorded what each bit of land was worth. (officials visited land and then double checked)
Villagers leaders were asked the questions about the land.
1300 places were visited.
This gave William information about the wealth of his Kingdom and of his Lords and Bishops.
Showed William how much tax he could claim from each lord and bishop.
How did William use Castles to Secure England? Describe a typical castle he built and who lived there.
William kept control through building castles across England.
Castles were easy to defend and showed the Saxon English that the Normans were in control.
Norman Castles followed standard pattern- Motte and Bailey – small hill called a motte, surrounded by a wooden fence and moat. This contained housing. Outer area- called a bailey was also surrounded by wooden fence.
Castles were the home of Lords & knights.
